The National Housing Report from RE/MAX found that for the third month in a row, home sales in May rose higher than sales in the previous month. May sales were 11.5 percent higher than in April, but stubbornly remained below the same period last year by 9.9 percent.

Of the 52 metros included in the study, a mere three experienced lower sales than the previous month. Overall, home prices continued to rise higher in May, with a 7.7 percent increase over the previous year.

“The usually strong spring selling months appear to be following traditional growth patterns. We’ve now seen three straight months of increased sales over the previous month—although we may not match the growth rates we saw last year, we are seeing significant increases in both sales and prices and that’s a positive sign,” said Margaret Kelly, RE/MAX CEO.

The National Housing Report commented that while both credit availability and inventory remain tight, May was the sixth consecutive month with fewer year-over-year inventory losses than the previous month. The month’s supply of inventory dropped to 3.8—a supply of six months indicates an equally balanced market between buyers and sellers.

RE/MAX found that in the 52 metro areas studied, the median sales price of all homes sold during May was $198,750, 4.6 percent higher than the median price in April and 7.7 percent higher than the median price last year. Home prices have risen continuously for 28 months. The report notes that although prices continue to rise due to limited inventory, prices are not rising as rapidly as the 10.8 percent increase seen in May 2013.